Opening- Sicily Pizzeria, Core Power Yoga; Gowanus Open Studios, The Other Art Fair, 2024 Fungi Fest, and a Q & A with Donna Stein of Park Slope Civic Council
Park Slope's first weekly newsletter since 2021
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Welcome to Park Slope’s weekly newsletter, Park Slope Pulse. We spend hours curating the most important news and events each week ✨ for free ✨ to save you time sifting through listings and articles! Park Slope Pulse gives you the first insights to make plans or start conversations.
Here’s what’s happening this week:
Openings: Sicily Pizzeria, opened on October 13th! Find them at 449 7th Ave between 15th and 16th streets. Core Power Yoga opened last week on 342 Flatbush Ave between Sterling and St John’s Pl.
It’s a great week for Park Slope businesses! Miolin Bakery, Simple Loaf Bakehouse, & Winner land on The Infatuation’s list of “The Best Croissants in NYC”, while Chuzo Culture makes Eater’s list of “The Best Sports Bars in NYC.”
Park Slope brothers, ages 10 and 12, launch a service to protect cars in the neighborhood from rats [News 12].
Plus, don’t forget to check out our Park Slope Halloween Guide 2024 for all the latest Halloween happenings!
— Mychal
Special Feature: Now enrolling infants, toddlers and preschoolers at Vivvi Dumbo!
Say hello to Vivvi Dumbo, the buzziest new child care and early learning program for parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Vivvi features a beautiful, light-filled spaces, an inquiry-based curriculum and convenient, extended hours (7am-7pm!).
At Vivvi, it feels like you’re leaving your child with family. Teachers are warm, passionate and experienced, and know just what children need to learn and grow.
Check out Vivvi Dumbo at 55 Prospect Street, or their newest South Slope location at 639 4th Avenue. Park Slope Pulse readers get one month free for new enrollments at Vivvi Dumbo through November 15.
[To get featured here as a Sponsor, email info@parkslopeliving for more info]
Our Top Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out- reserve tickets early!
Weekend Events:
The Other Art Fair @ ZeroSpace (Thursday, October 17th- Sunday, October 20)*: Discover new art & meet new artists at this art fair featuring original yet affordable artwork from 120 independent artists. @parkslopeliving is an official sponsor for this exciting event, which features immersive installations, performances, local bites, and a fully stocked bar. Here, art is for everyone! $54.35.
New York City Wine & Food Festival (Thursday, October 17th- Sunday, October 20th)*: Check out this annual festival’s full-weekend lineup of events in their new 50,000-square-foot home base at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. With over 80 events in Manhattan & Brooklyn, NYCWFF showcases the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, culinary personalities and beloved television chefs. Pricing varies based on event. Tickets start at $75.
Gowanus Open Studios (Saturday October 19th- Sunday, October 20th): Hosted by Arts Gowanus, Gowanus Open Studios is Brooklyn’s biggest celebration of local art and artists. Visit over 400 artists across 90+ locations in greater Gowanus at the 28th annual GOS! Artists will be present to discuss their work, share their processes, and showcase their latest projects. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to purchase work directly from local artists. FREE.
Open House New York (Friday, October 18-Sunday, October 20)*: This annual festival opens 270+ places across the five boroughs for behind-the-scenes tours and special access at skyscrapers, power plants, artist studios, and everything in between. Most festival experiences are open access, but some require tickets for space or security reasons. FREE— some sites require $6 tickets.
Thursday, October 17th:
Brooklyn Talks: Paola Mendoza and Paola Ramos @ Brooklyn Museum, 7-9pm: Join journalist Paola Ramos and filmmaker Paola Mendoza for a thought-provoking conversation on two of the nation’s most important and misunderstood communities: Latinos and immigrants. In tandem with the release of their books SOLIS and Defectors, the two authors reflect on how these communities shape the nation. Tickets include admission to the American Art galleries. $10/$6 for members.
Saturday, October 19th
Lalo-Palooza Family Fun Day @ Old Stone House, 10-11:30am: This first ever Lalo-Palooza family fun day will feature great music, seedlings from Gotham Greens, Maman coffee, Goodies from Coterie, snacks from Once Upon a Farm, a special giveaway, and more! FREE- RSVP encouraged.
Zumba for a Cause @ Abolitionist Place, 12-2pm: 100% of all proceeds from this Zumba class with instructor Natarsha McQueen will be donated to the Breasties, an all-inclusive non-profit for those impact by breast and gynecologic cancers. FREE (donation based)- RSVP encouraged.
2024 NYC Fungi Fest @ Farm.One, 11am-11pm: Farm.One, a vertical farm space growing greens, herbs, and edible flowers year-round in Prospect Heights, is hosting this free, multi- disciplinary mushroom festival featuring mushroom art, music, celebrity guests, fungi food, mycology, mushroom growing, talks on psychedelics, fungus cooking, kids programming and more. FREE- RSVP encouraged.
Sound & Color! Autumn in New York @ Brooklyn Bridge Park, 11am-4pm: Celebrate the changing of seasons with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and enjoy live musical performances, food vendors, kids activities, arts and crafts, field games and a signature pumpkin patch. FREE- RSVP encouraged.
Freedom to Read Day of Action Rally @ Brooklyn Public Library, 10am-2pm: Join Brooklyn Public Library in a rally against book bans, which reached an all-time high in 2023. This day of action on Central Library's Plaza will feature speakers, book giveaways and activities that honor the joy of reading and thinking independently. FREE.
Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival @ Alamo Drafthouse, 6-9pm: This premier live screening event will include a showing of eleven jury- selected short films with filmmaker introductions, a red carpet photo wall, festival merch, and more. Attendees will receive a free Godzilla Eras Tour poster as part of this year’s 70th Anniversary of Godzilla celebration. $23.18.
Sunday, October 20th
Superhero & Pumpkin Fest @ City Point Brooklyn, 11am-1pm: Ages two through ten are invited to a Meet & Greet with Spiderman, Wonder Woman & Captain America, plus pumpkin decorating, fall crafts, and balloon twisting! FREE- RSVP encouraged.
Brooklyn Festival of Arts and Music 2024 @ Prospect Park Boathouse, 11am-5pm: This family- friendly event celebrates Latinx and Afro-Latinx voices and embraces Brooklyn FAM's year-long theme of home, identity, and belonging. Expect puppet theater, musical and dance performances, dance workshops, spoken word, craft stations, a collaborative public art project, children's author visits, and a panel discussion. Culturally aligned food from Brooklyn favorites Antojitos, Ix, and HAAM will be available for purchase (vegetarian and vegan options available). FREE.
Halloween Cookie Decorating Class @ Whisk & Whiskey, 2-3pm: All ages are welcome and costumes are in encouraged for this cookie decorating class with Chef Coy of Whisk & Whiskey. RSVP required. $20.
Wednesday, October 23rd
The Office Themed Trivia @ Strong Rope Brewery (Gowanus Location), 7pm: The Strong Rope Brewery Party Planning Committee cordially invites you to The Office Trivia (featuring Halloween episodes)! Prizes for 1st place and best team name. Arrive early to save a table! FREE to play.
Book Ahead for these popular upcoming events:
French Bistro Cooking Class @ The Common Park Slope (Thursday, November 11th, 6-9pm)*: Join The Common (548 4th Ave between 14th and 15th Streets) for an immersive cooking & dining experience which includes three hours of hands-on cooking under Chef instruction in a professional restaurant kitchen. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, wine, the dinner you’ve prepared, and coffee or tea to end the meal. Great for beginners and seasoned cooks alike! $109.
Slope Steal of the Week: Bogota Latin Bistro
We find the best deals happening in the neighborhood so you don’t have to!
Kids eat free at Bogota Latin Bistro Mon-Thursday from 4-7pm with the purchase of an entree or house specialty!
Kids can choose from
Kids fish fingers
Veggie taco
Kids Arroz Con Pollo (Chicken and rice)
The restaurant also offers an all-day happy hour Sun-Thurs from 11am through close. Classic margaritas, mojitos, and sangria are $7, Pina coladas & caipirinhas are $8, flavored margs are $9-$10, and beers are $5-$6!
Visit Bogota Latin Bistro on 141 5th Avenue between Lincoln and St Johns Pl.
Q & A with Donna Stein of Park Slope Civic Council
It’s a busy season for the Park Slope Civic Council. Food For Thought— an annual fundraising event benefiting the Council’s High School Scholarship Program— was held October 16th, and the much-anticipated Park Slope Halloween Parade is right around the corner. We thought this was a perfect time to catch up with President Donna Stein and learn more about the great work the PSCC is doing in our community and how we can get involved.
Hi Park Slope neighbors! I’m excited to share a little about the incredible work of the Park Slope Civic Council, the organization I have the privilege of leading as president. For those of you who may not be familiar, the Civic Council has been serving our community since 1896, with the mission of promoting the health, vitality, and character of the Park Slope neighborhood. We advocate for the interests of residents, businesses, and others with a stake in the community. It’s all about making Park Slope an even better place to live, work, and enjoy. -Donna Stein
You were born in Brooklyn and have spent most of your life as a New Yorker. What do you love about living in Park Slope?
Though I was born in Brooklyn, my husband and I had raised our children in Boston. Moving to Park Slope in 2019 was like starting all over again. I didn’t know anyone here and felt disconnected from the community. As I walked around Park Slope, I could sense that this was more than your typical NYC neighborhood — it felt like a real community. I knew I had to find a way to make it feel like home. I joined clubs, went to events—many of which weren’t quite the right fit—but then I found the Park Slope Civic Council through the “Food for Thought” event.
This wonderful event brings together local restaurants to raise money for scholarships for graduating seniors at John Jay High School. It was the perfect mix of social fun and meaningful impact, and after that night, I knew I had found my place. I became a member and quickly got involved with the Civic Council. Soon after, I saw an ad in the newsletter for trustees and thought, “Why not?”
Since then, I’ve attended as many events as I can fit into my schedule. Whether it’s our famous Halloween Parade (the largest children’s parade in Brooklyn!) or the Civic Sweep neighborhood clean-up, there’s something for everyone here. I’ve met the most incredible people along the way—neighbors who care deeply about making Park Slope a welcoming, vibrant place to live.
The Park Slope Civic Council has been an active part of the community for over 100 years. Can you tell us a little about the work you do?
The Civic Council works hard to bring people together and to support community-driven ideas. Whether it’s through our community grants program, which helps fund projects in arts, education, and civic improvement, or events like our Architectural Historic Walking Tour, the Council is all about fostering connection and progress. Best of all, we keep things simple: no red tape, no bureaucracy. If you have a great idea that fits with our mission, we want to help make it happen.
What suggestions do you have for readers who are looking to volunteer or be more involved in the community?
I encourage you to join us! Our monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at the Old Stone House, and everyone is welcome. The real magic happens when we work together, sharing ideas, putting in the effort, and having fun while making a real difference in our neighborhood.
So, come get involved! Whether you’re new to Park Slope like I was, or you’ve lived here for years, the Civic Council is here for you. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more connected community. To learn more, visit us at parkslopeciviccouncil.org—we’d love to see you at an upcoming event!
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